The Lakota Indians, descendants of Crazy Horse and and Sitting Bull, have officially withdrawn from the treaties they had with the United States, the AFP is reporting, meaning they have declared themselves a new nation formally separate from America. The article quotes Indian rights activist Russell Means as saying: "We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area [Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming] that encompasses our country are free to join us."
It also points out that the new Lakota country plans to issue its own passports, driving licenses and tax plan (that is, there will be no taxes). We went to the Lakota Freedom Delegation to find out more about their plans, but the site appears to have been downed by too much traffic. Here's the link if you want to try it.
How will this new nation survive? Well, their one advantage is they have almost nothing left to lose: The Lakota's men have a frighteningly short lifespan: forty-four years. Teen suicide, infant mortality and unemployment are all very high.
And on one hand, they certainly have every right to want nothing more to do with the U.S. (Wonkette has some details about recent mistreatment). On the other, it doesn't seem likely this is all going to go smoothly . Somehow we think the U.S. might have a little something to say about this secession plan, especially given the fact that the Indians are inviting regular old Americans to renounce U.S. citizenship and live in their community tax-free.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 4)
1. The secession of the Lakota is only a first step and mostly to make a statement. That statement is that *every* *single* *treaty* they have made with the federal government has been ignored by said government. The next step they plan to take is to apply to the united nations for a seat. With this leverage, they probably hope to:
1: Embarass the govt. into admitting what it has done on the world stage, perhaps even forcing it to make amends and make the step unnecessary.
2: Find investors overseas who want to develop in the U.S. but do not want to deal with federal buracracy.
How do I know these things? I belong to a tribe in the southern U.S. who has had much the same experiance and is considering doing the same thing!
Dan at 8:08AM on Jan 28th 2008
2. I run a group of voluteers that help on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and they have no plans of seceding from the US. This is a case of a few speaking and not for the majority. From what I understand at least 3 of the 4 delegates don't even live on the reservations mentioned.
Debbie at 10:39AM on Feb 9th 2008
3. I don't blame them a bit.
Richard at 4:13PM on Dec 20th 2007
4. awesome - that is f**king awesome - GOOD for them :)
AMY LYNN at 6:19PM on Dec 20th 2007
5. LOL...And IF the U.S. were even pushed into accepting such a declaration, you would be prisoners within your own borders. Just because a Lacota has a passport to cross, it doesn't mean the US will allow you to cross into sovereign territory. In fact it will probably make things very bad for not just your people. But other peoples that feel they have been wronged. It's a slippery slope. And independance was never earned without spilling ALOT of blood.
brad at 4:54PM on Dec 20th 2007
6. This is very VERY interesting. I guess when reading this, I instantly remember George W. Bush clearly stating to the world on CNN (discussing an unrelated treaty), that "America is a country that honors its treaties!" Well, treaties they pay attention to i guess, because the U.S. (spanning countless administration) has not honored their treaties with the Lakota. You'd think the people that GAVE america land to even have a country would at least have their small population and rightful/lawful demands honored and taken care of. Well, the neglect has led to this, and believe it or not, this separation from the U.S. is completely legal! The Natives weren't even asking for much. Now, should they not accept this lawful seperation, they will unlawfully break yet another treaty, and show the entire world their immoral ideologies and utter lawlessness. And if the U.S. thinks the Native tribes in Canada, who have achieved their fare share, are going to stand by and let their brothers be slaughtered, well, the ignorance means it's going to get really messy.
mike ethan at 4:59PM on Dec 20th 2007
7. This is why the immigration laws are so idiotic. They were here first, and europeans immigrated into America.
The Goddess Athena at 4:55PM on Dec 20th 2007
8. Be safe and strong. Also please beaware that you will be subject to those attempting to rip the Nation apart. Stay strong & wise. Don't let money seperate you.
Fran at 3:29AM on Dec 21st 2007
9. When is Texas gonna wake up and do the same thing? It truly is sad that most 'white people' have become so oblivious that 'Native Americans' now have to teach these 'white people' about our Jeffersonian states' rights tradition:
“If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union…let them stand undisturbed.”
-Thomas Jefferson
God Bless Lakota!
Allan at 5:02PM on Dec 20th 2007
10.
Will those who secede from the US not accept welfare, free medical and other assistance programs from the US government? If you are not part of the country you are not entitled to assistance programs.
Michele at 5:24PM on Dec 20th 2007
11. Well, this could get messy, altho I certainly hope it doesn't. As for recent mistreatment, if there's a grievance, it should be addressed. But secession is a slippery slope that may lead to all sorts of chaos in this country. Right now, with Islamic nut-cases who'd nuke us as soon as look at us planning to destroy us, I don't think this is the time for this. They certainly wouldn't spare the infidel Lakotas.
As for America-bashing and America-hatred, really folks this has got to stop. That you can says a lot about this country. For all its sins of 2 centuries ago, it is probably the most advanced nation on earth, in almost every way. That was no accident. Clearly we are doing something right. So trying to fix what ain't broke is, in this case, quite dangerous.
Hitler didn't conquer Europe because of us. The former Soviet Union was prevented from forcing totalitarian rule on the world NOT out of the goodness of their hearts. Emp Hirohito realized he was no god after Nagasaki. Taiwan is still a free society because of her alliance with us. For all our flaws, we have just as many good points that must not be forgotten because you mistakenly believe the grass is greener elsewhere.
This worries me. And for all you saying 'good for them', you're encouraging them to sign their epitaph. And maybe yours, too.
Keith at 3:09AM on Jan 6th 2008
12. Wow, I think that what the Lakota are doing is awesome and my husband and I would come and join them in a heartbeat if we had the money to move there. The Lakota's and other native american's blood cries out from the ground for vengence. Their blood is a testimony against the U.S. for the reprehensible way that they have been treated. May G-d richly bless their efforts and may they succeed at what they are trying to do.
LambLion58 at 5:29PM on Dec 20th 2007
13. http://www.understandthenet.com
jeff at 5:48PM on Dec 20th 2007
14. Someone needs to check their facts. None of the people listed as "tribal leaders" are in fact duly elected tribal leaders.
Last time I checked Russell Means wasn't on any tribal counsel. He's stood election twice and lost twice. Even AIM disowned him.
http://www.aimovement.org/moipr/onrussellmeans.html
If the article mentioned Oliver Red Cloud or Rodney Bordeaux as tribal leaders I'd give it more credence. I'm surprised that someone couldn't call up the respective tribal governments and check the facts.
Yuwipi at 5:56PM on Dec 20th 2007
15. The Lakota have been living in third world conditions for the past 150 years. The American public is totally unaware of the conditions on the reservations. Our ignorance and apathy is appalling. Just one month ago I was informed that the medical clinic at Rose Bud was going to have to close its doors because they heating bill could not be paid. The elderly and the children suffer most. Many people on the reservations do not have plumbing or heat. The US government owes Native Americans huge amounts of money which has been promised but not paid. When New York ran a highway through the Mohawk reservation, a toll per vehicle was promised. Not one dime paid. When Natives talk about the government breaking treaties, they are not talking about 150 years ago. They are talking about NOW. Most of us think that these issues have been dead for a long time, but they have never been settled. Most 'white' people don't even know that Native people have maintained a status of sovereign nations and treaties are still being negotiated -- and ignored. I DO applaud the Lakota. The veiled threat that was posted by 'Keith'is so typical of people who do not want the truth revealed.
Laylah V.
Laylah V at 6:40PM on Dec 20th 2007